Steps Forward for Greece

Abstract

A recent letter by H. Zur Hausen et al. (“Support for Greece,” 25 May, p. [978][1]) highlighted a petition signed by distinguished Nobel Laureates from all over the world and addressed to the heads of three European Institutions, asking them to provide support to Greece and in particular to its academic and research community, in order to mitigate the adverse effects of the financial crisis. On behalf of our members, the academic teachers and researchers of Greece, we are grateful to our esteemed colleagues for their support. The austerity measures (salaries and budgetary cuts) imposed as a result of the recent financial crisis have jeopardized the sustainability of research infrastructure and intensified the emigration of both young talented researchers and senior prominent staff. To reverse the decline in university functions and R&D activities in Greece, and to promote growth through technology and innovation, we recommend the following goals: (i) Adopt a clear R&D strategy that is relevant to Greece's current f inancial and social problems, that draws on its history, culture, physical environment, and natural resources, and that has strong links to higher education, within a unified higher education and research system. (ii) Make efficient use of European structural funds ([ 1 ][2]), establish a regular and predictable timetable for calls for research, and increase gradually the proportion of GDP allocated to R&D and education, given that “investments in R&D and education increase the chances to smooth the adverse impact of the crisis” ([ 2 ][3]). Eliminate excessive bureaucratic procedures, such as complicated and time-consuming processes for the recruitment of research staff and multiple approvals for dispensing expenses. ![Figure][1] Academy of Sciences, Athens, Greece CREDIT: OLAVFIN/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS (iii) Modernize the governance and function of Greek academic and research institutions. Speed up the implementation of the recent framework law for universities, which creates a University Council with oversight functions and limits the electoral bodies for the rector and other positions to faculty members (excluding students and administrative staff). Update the current legislative framework for research, which lacks incentives for networking among tertiary education institutions, research centers, and innovationdriven enterprises. (iv) Streamline the “architecture” of the higher education and research infrastructure by consolidating teaching, research, and administrative activities. Meanwhile, the European Union should encourage innovation and facilitate Greek participation in relevant EU programs, such as the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) 2007-2013 and the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (Horizon 2020), by establishing more favorable conditions for funding. 1. [↵][4]1. T. Feder , Phys. Today 65, 24 (2012). [OpenUrl][5] 2. [↵][6]European Commission, “Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: State of the Innovation Union (2011); . [1]: pending:yes [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #ref-2 [4]: #xref-ref-1-1 View reference in text [5]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DPhys.%2BToday%26rft.volume%253D65%26rft.spage%253D24%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [6]: #xref-ref-2-1 View reference in text